Bridge spans of 133 years on display

Kelvin White (foreground) and Brian Deaker work on a display of two bridge spans from the...
Kelvin White (foreground) and Brian Deaker work on a display of two bridge spans from the demolished 132-year-old Waitaki River twin bridges between Kurow and Hakataramea which also includes new handrails for safety and disabled access ramps. Photo by David Bruce.
Two wooden bridges which stood against the might of the Waitaki River for 133 years are gone, but will not be forgotten.

Two 12m spans have been shifted to Kurow Island, between the two bridges, for display, and other timber will appear in street furniture, wood turners' creations and possibly even as features in Christchurch homes.

The display, which is costing about $170,000, is being paid for by the New Zealand Transport Agency and will be opened as part of a community celebration on Saturday, November 29.

The agency's highway manager, Colin Knaggs, said when the bridges opened in 1881 they were among the largest wooden structures of the time and represented a major achievement in construction.

''They were the last surviving examples of the long multi-truss road and road-rail bridges that once existed throughout the east coast of the South Island, crossing the wide braided rivers'', he said.

The single-lane bridges between Kurow and Hakataramea on State Highway 82 were demolished after being replaced in a $20 million project by the New Zealand Transport Agency with two two-lane concrete bridges and with a separate walk and cycleway.

But the hardwood timber, which includes kauri, ironwood and jarrah, and other material will be put to good use by community groups among others.

After negotiations between the agency, Heritage NZ and Waitaki and Waimate District Councils it was agreed to display two spans from the longer northern bridge on the island, to show future generations how pioneers in 1881 had managed to build a wooden bridge which lasted 133 years.

Set above a hollow, the two spans are on the tops of the piles which supported them above the north branch.

Originally, the bridge was railway-only and the big hardwood beams which supported the tracks and sleepers can be seen underneath.

On top of those are massive steel girders from when the bridge carried a road. Decking, replaced over the decades, sits on top and most of the original tarseal is in place.

A railway wagon on rails will be part of the display.

Oher remains have been stored and community groups are already compiling a list of what they need, along with the two councils that plan to use materials to maintain other district bridges.

Some of the timber is expected to end up as part of the Kurow town centre upgrade, including as street furniture. What is left will be auctioned. About 30 bidders have already expressed interest.

david.bruce@odt.co.nz

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